Tubular maze toys

ABSTRACT

An instructional toy for building multidimensional circular and arcuate structures which suggest non-circular configurations in appearance. The toy has a plurality of substantially elongated flexible but resilient arcuate elements and a plurality of multiple connecting devices for linking the arcuate elements endto-end and tangentially.

United States Patent Kennedy [451 Dec. 5, 1972 [541 TUBULAR MAZE TOYS [72] Inventor:

ton Street, Stoughton, Wis. 53589 [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 170,704

[52] US. Cl ..46/26 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 33/10 [58] Field of Search ..46/26, 29; 287/127 R, 20.92 E,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,608,592 11/1926 Funk ..46/29 Robert Arthur Kennedy, 600 Hamil- 1/1971 Brumlik ..35/l8A 7/1965 Onanian ..46/26 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Attorney-Joseph G. Werner et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An instructional toy for building multidimensional circular and arcuate structures which suggest non-circular configurations in appearance. The toy has a plurality of substantially elongated flexible but resilient arcuate elements and a plurality of multiple connecting devices for linking the arcuate elements end-toend and tangentially.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED E 5 I97? SHEEI 1 BF 2 FIG. I

INVENTORI ROBERT ARTHUR KENNEDY PATENTEDDEC 5 I972 SHEEI 2 BF 2 NNEDY TUBULAR MAZE TOYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention pertains generally to the field of instructional toys and more particularly to an instructional building toy for building multidimensional circular and arcuate structures.

2. Description of the Prior Art Children, and adults as well, have from time im-. memorial taken great interest in puzzles, blocks, mazes and other kinds of devices that allow them to build and to create. Many such toys are known that aid in the development of such creative and constructive talents. U.S. Pat. No. 2,735,146 discloses building blocks interconnected by keys which prevent the blocks from easily tipping over. U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,960 discloses a flexible tubular connector which enables rigid rods to be connected in a variety of configurations. U.S. Pat. No. 2,846,809 discloses a construction set composed of rigid rods which have suction cups attached at either end. The rods can be interconnected by means of the suction cups which adhere to special spherical connectors. U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,428 discloses a buildingset comprising flexible straws and connectors composed of hub centers having a plurality of pins. The straws can be interconnected by means of the connectors to form various multi-dimensional structures including limited arcuate configurations.

These instructional toys do not appeal directly to the development of a sense of the geometry of circles. Nor do they illustrate the relationship between inscribed circles and arcs, and the plane and solid geometrical configurations which they suggest in appearance. None of the aforementioned art discloses an instructional toy that enables the builder to link arcuate elements together tangentially in the same plane and in different planes so as to form multi-dimensional structures composed entirely of circles and arcs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The arcuate element is the basic unit of my instructional building toy. The goal of the builder is to create structures composed entirely of arcs and circles from these arcuate elements by means of unique multiple connecting devices. The connecting devices have a succession of cylindrical coupling members arranged sideby-side. The coupling members serve to link the arcuate elements together end to end to form larger arcs and circles. A fastener pivotably links each succeeding cylindrical coupling member to the preceding one which in turn serves to link the basic circles tangentially. Since the coupling members may pivot, tangent circles may lie in the same plane or can be rotated transversely so that the planes in which the circles lie are disposed at various angles relative to each other.

While all the structures built with my instructional building toy must necessarily be composed of circles and arcs, the unique capacity for connecting the circles and arcs tangentially, allows the builder to build multidimensional structures that suggest non-circular configurations in appearance. For example, 6 circles may be joined tangentially to form a cube, with each circle representing one side of the cube. This feature allows the relationship between inscribed circles of polygons and the polygons themselves to be explored to the wonder and satisfaction of the builder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS having three cylindrical coupling members joined in a closed triangular ring.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a multiple connecting device having four cylindrical coupling members joined in a closed square ring.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a typical three dimensional design exemplifying my instructional toy.

FIG. 8 is a multidimensional structure exemplifying my instructional toy which suggests a table in appearance. v

FIG. 9 is a multidimensional structure exemplifying my instructional toy which suggests a series of cubes in appearance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the distinctive dual linking feature of a typical multiple connecting device 10. The cylindrical coupling members 11 are inserted into the arcuate elements 20 to link the elements together end-to-end. The inner diameter of said couplingmembers are dimensional relative to the outer diameter of said arcuate elements so as to insure a tight connection when said coupling members are inserted into said arcuate elements. The fastener 12 shown by dotted lines pivotably fastens the coupling members 11 together which in turn serves to link adjacent arcuate elements 20 tangentially.

As best seen in FIG. 2 the multiple connecting device 10 of FIG. 1 contains a pair of cylindrical coupling members 11. Each coupling member 11 is composed of two identical halves 11a. Each half 11a has a pin 14 and a hole 15 which mate with their counterparts in the opposite half. The walls of the holes 15 mate with the pins 14 to hold the halves 11a together. It should be noted that the coupling members 11 will ultimately be inserted into the arcuate elements 20 and that this additional holding means is not essential but is provided only to keep the coupling members 11 together until assemblage.

The fastener 12 pivotably joins adjacent cylindrical coupling members 11. Although the fastener 12 may be of special construction to adapt to certain variations of the multiple connecting device 10 to be discussed later, the preferred embodiment consists of a rigid shaft 12a having a circular head 12b on either end. The circular heads 12b are placed within a longitudinal slot 13 formed in each half 11a of the coupling member 11. When the halves 11a are placed together each circular head 12b of the fastener 12 will be enclosed by the slots 13 while the shaft 12a will rest in a transverse channel 16 formed between the halves 11a. The coupling members 11 are free to pivot around the circular heads 12b and can be disposed at various angles with respect to each other. It should be noted that arcuate elements 20 placed over the coupling members 11 will assume corresponding angular displacements relative to one another.

An annular rib 17a on each half 110 forms an annular ring 17, which has an opening 18 formed by the transverse channel 16. As most clearly seen in FIG. 1 the annular ring 17 serves to position the arcuate elements 20 along the coupling members 11. It is preferred to make the outer circumference of the annular ring 17 the same size as the outer circumference of the arcuate elements 20, so that the multiple connecting devices will be visually unobtrusive.

Transverse slots 19, shown in FIG. 2 enable the ends of the coupling members 11 to compress somewhat to facilitate their insertion into the arcuate elements 20. After insertion the frictional forces between the arcuate elements and the coupling members 11 will be sufficient to prevent their separation until intentionally disassembled. If so desired an additional, restraining means, such as a simple twist or snap lock, may be provided to interlock the arcuate elements 20 to the cylindrical coupling members 1 1.

Thus far, the description of the preferred embodiment has been limited to the two member multiple connecting device 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. It is not intended, however, to limit the scope of the multiple connecting device 10 to the particular embodiment shown therein. On the contrary, the above description only serves to illustrate the basic dual linking principle which applies equally to. a variety of multiple connecting devices 10. FIG. 3,for example, illustrates how a multiple connecting device 10 might have a succession of the coupling members 11 of FIG. 2 joined laterally to form .an open chain. Adjacent coupling members 11 are joined by fasteners such as the fastener 12 of FIG. 2, except that some or all of the shafts 12a may be a pre-shaped bend or be flexible.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate connecting devices 10 joined together in closed polygonal rings. The fasteners 12 are fitted within the coupling members 11 in the same manner as the fastener 12 of FIG. 2. However, because of the acute angular displacement between adjacent coupling members 11 the shaft 12a of the fastener 12 must either be flexible or pre-shaped to conform substantially to the angle between adjacent coupling members.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate how the various types of multiple connecting devices 10 may be used to link the arcuate elements 20 to form multidimensional structures. The structures of FIGS. 7 and 8 are built using only two member multiple connecting devices 10 shown in FIG. 2. It is easily seen that adjacent circles and arcs are all tangential to one another. It should be noted however that the planes in which the tangent circles lie may be coplanar or disposed at various angles to one another.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of the more complex multiple connecting devices of FIGS. 5 and 6 used in conjunction with the two member multiple connecting device of FIG. 2. The point 40 illustrates how the two member multiple connecting device of FIG. 2 is used to build the basic structure which in appearance suggests a cube. The point 41 illustrates how the three member multiple connecting device of FIG. 5 is used to link two adjacent cubes together. The three member connecting device is required because three circles all meet at substantially the same point. The point 42 illustrates how the four member multiple connecting device of FIG. 6 is used to link three mutually adjacent cubes together. Notice that four circles all meet at substantially the same point. The multiple connecting device to be employed is dictated by the number of circles or arcs that are to be linked together at any one juncture.

Returning now to FIG. 1, the arcuate elements 20 are flexible so that they can be easily bent to form arcs and circles of different curvature. They are resilient to give the completed structures sufficient stiffness to retain their circular and arcuate shapes; The arcuate elements 20 may also be of various lengths so that circles and arcs of different sizes may be formed using a minimum of coupling devices 10. In FIG. 7, for example,-two of the circles have only one arcuate element 20 bent around on a single connecting device 10, while the other two circles are composed of two arcuate elements 20.

It is preferred to make the arcuate elements 20 of extruded plastic. Extruded tubing is less expensive and more lightweight. However, it is sufficient for the elements 20 to be of solid construction being tubular only at their ends. It should be appreciated also that it would be possible to utilize solid arcuate elements 20 and tubular coupling members 11. However, no advantages are seen in this arrangement and the expense of manufacture is likely to be compounded.

The combination of the arcuate elements 20 and the multiple connecting devices 10 comprises a versatile educational toy which can appeal to children of all ages. Simple configurations such as in FIG. 7 are easily assembled even by the very young. More difficult structures such as the table shown in FIG. 8 are quickly learned. Complex structures such as the series of cubes shown in FIG. 9 will provide a challenge, yet can be mastered by an eager child.

It must be noted that while all the configurations created by a child using my educational toy will be composed entirely of circles and arcs, the structures so built may suggest various other multidimensional structures in appearance. For example, the structure in FIG. 8 resembles a table having curved legs, and the complex structure in FIG. 9 resembles a series of interconnected cubes. These structures emphasize and teach relationships not only between the tangentially linked circles themselves but also between these circles and the solid geometrical structures that they suggest in appearance.

It is understood that my invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An instructional toy for building multidimensional circular and arcuate structures which suggest non-cir- "\RMO MAI 6 cular geometric configurations in appearance compriscoupling members, and ing: 2. a plurality of fasteners for pivotally joining a. a plurality of substantially enlogated flexible together said coupling members that are adresilient arcuate elements, and jacent. b. a plurality of multiple connecting devices f li k- 5 2. That instructional toy of claim 1 wherein said aring said arcuate elements end-to-end and. tangencuate elements are tubular at both endsl h f said multiple Connecting devices 3. The instructional toy of claim 1 wherein said arcui ate elements are extruded. l a plurality of substantially elongated cylindrical 10 

1. An instructional toy for building multidimensional circular and arcuate structures which suggest non-circular geometric configurations in appearance comprising: a. a plurality of substantially enlogated flexible resilient arcuate elements, and b. a plurality of multiple connecting devices for linking said arcuate elements end-to-end and tangentially, each of said multiple connecting devices having:
 1. a plurality of substantially elongated cylindrical coupling members, and
 2. a plurality of fasteners for pivotally joining together said coupling members that are adjacent.
 2. a plurality of fasteners for pivotally joining together said coupling members that are adjacent.
 2. That instructional toy of claim 1 wherein said arcuate elements are tubular at both ends.
 3. The instructional toy of claim 1 wherein said arcuate elements are extruded. 